Friday, September 12, 2008

Bike & Ride

OMAHA – If you’re looking for an alternative way to get around Omaha, hop on your bike and head for the nearest bus stop.

Starting Monday, Sept. 29, the general public will be able to begin using the new bike racks mounted on Metro Area Transit (MAT) buses.

Local bike enthusiasts can practice using the new bus bike racks in a learning session set for Monday, Sept. 15. The event - sponsored by Activate Omaha in conjunction with MAT, the City of Omaha and Omaha by Design - will begin at 5 p.m. in the front parking lot of MAT headquarters, 2222 Cuming St. All those interested are invited to participate.

“MAT’s new Bike & Ride program is a great way to encourage bicycle use and help raise Omaha’s profile as a bike-friendly community, said Tammie Dodge, project manager with Activate Omaha. “We encourage cyclists to stop by MAT on Sept. 15 and try out the new bus bike racks.”

All buses in the MAT fleet will be equipped with bike racks by the end of the month, said Curt Simon, executive director of MAT. Each rack holds two bikes, and the racks will be mounted to the front of the bus.

The bike rack program has been funded with federal grant money for transit projects related to the construction of the Missouri RiverPedestrianBridge between Omaha and Council Bluffs. The racks are not intended for motor-powered bikes (gas or electric), mopeds, tandem and recumbent bikes, tricycles, bikes with training wheels and bikes with trailers or other attachments.

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Welcome to MTB Omaha, news and info about the cycling community in and around Omaha, Nebraska and around the world. Comment on posts as you wish. If you are interested in becoming a contributor to the scene, send me an e-mail to 2mod(at)cox(dot)net.